On one forum, I suggested that someone ask about it, and they were told that it would cost $40 more, and there would be no warranty on the keyboard, but they'd do it.
Harris also had a 25 MHz model, as mentioned in that wiki article. 16 was the fastest that Intel made, however, but they didn't stop the second source manufacturers from going faster.
I do recall something saying that the 286 project was actually started AFTER the 386, because the 386 wasn't ready for the market in time. The end result of that was that the 286 was a more modern (but 16-bit) design than the 32-bit 386, and was quicker at a given clock speed - I've heard of cases where the 286-25 was actually faster than an AMD 386DX-40.
Ah, but if you don't mind key remapping and USB adapters, they WILL work gracefully with the Mac.
When I was using my 1391401 on my iBook (a keyboard that's HEAVIER than the laptop it's hooked to...) I had the Alt key mapped to Command, the Ctrl key mapped to Option/Alt, and the Caps Lock key mapped to Ctrl.
With my EnduraPro 104, I just switched around the Command and Option mappings, so that they're in the same place as they are on a Mac keyboard. (And, mine's native USB, so no need to run an adapter.)
(That said, a bunch of the PC keys have different functions on a Mac, or don't work at all.)
The very, very first Model Ms known were made in 1985. The copyright might say 1984, but they weren't available until 1985.
If the IBM logo is anything other than a metal square with a black IBM logo on it, then it can't have possibly been a first-generation Model M.
If the logo is blue lettering, then it was most likely made in 1993 or later. (I've heard of a few blue ones in 1991.)
If the cable isn't detachable, and/or it has drainage holes, then it was definitely made in 1993 or later. (I have one of the somewhat rare keyboards with drainage holes AND the detachable cable, made by IBM. A keyboard I have that was made two months later was made by Lexmark, and therefore doesn't have the detachable cable.)
I'm typing on an EnduraPro 104 right now, and... there's a bit of play in the stick before it starts sensing your movement. Very disconcerting for someone used to a genuine (or even an Alps clone) TrackPoint.
But, I'll just say... be very wary of the refurbished M13s on eBay (and elsewhere.) Quality control on those is non-existent. You're better off trying to find one with a fried controller or something. Or, if you don't have a problem with shelling out $250 for a keyboard, then I do believe the FRU number for the black M13 is still available in IBM's replacement parts system.
Hey, at least you don't have the Model M13 that I have. (Predecessor to the On The Stick 101 and EnduraPro 104.)
Let's see... tons of sticking keys, the right mouse button doesn't work... oh, and yeah, the buttons are wired backwards! (Left-clicking results in a right-click. REAL USEFUL HERE, LEXMARK!)
(My EnduraPro 104... only problem is that the right mouse button feels weird - for some reason, the buttons underneath came out of alignment. So, tomorrow, I'll call Unicomp, and ask them about it.)
Well, actually, it wouldn't be too hard to take a Model M2, a hacksaw, and a controller ROM from a Model M SpaceSaver (so that it would have NumLock by pressing Shift+Scroll Lock,) and see what would happen...
IIRC, the connector for the key decoding matrix on an early Model M is on the left side, so hacking off the right side of the board wouldn't do any damage.
Then, put this monstrosity in an IBM PC Convertible (I had one, but I don't remember how the keyboard felt.) Work from there. If nothing else, I bet one could take an old ThinkPad 700 shell, remove all the guts, transplant newer ThinkPad guts into it, and hook the frankenboard up. (You'd have to sink the keyboard deep into the thing for it to fit, hence the old 3" thick ThinkPad shell with parts from something like an X41.)
Well, if you just want the writing features, there's a few "portable keyboards"/portable word processors out there... I think the best known is the AlphaSmart. There's also the CalcuScribe, the Laser PC6, and some other options.
Most of them are meant for special education use, so they're ruggedized. They have monochrome screens (good for outdoor use,) full-size (although usually laptop-derived) keyboards, and stupid long battery life - so long that they make an M100 look like an absolute pig. I think the worst in the class is somewhere around 100 hours.
Well, if I recall correctly, the Model M2, the cheaper version of the Model M for the PS/1, didn't have the steel plate, and still came in near 3 pounds.
To be fair, you are getting a ruggedized machine. AlphaSmart claims it can take a four foot drop without any damage...
Also, I think another reason it's overpriced has to do with their main market - education. They do market it towards the M100's old market to an extent, but in the education market, they're really the only game in town, providing what they provide (extreme battery life + ruggedized machines for students.) I don't think the low volume helps, either - were it a high volume product, it could probably sell for $250, with OS 5, and color. (Monochrome does have its advantages for outdoor visibility, though.)
And, I've heard people say that the keyboard's fine... I'd like to get my hands on one, but I don't see it happening. I suspect it'll feel like the average laptop's keyboard. Meh.
I will note, though, that I've never typed on a M100.
The EnduraPro, a Model M13 (that was refurbished... badly... so I have to go in and refurbish it again myself...,) and three Model Ms (one of which is a 1993 IBM-built one, and is my favorite keyboard to type on, but I use the EnduraPro more due to the pointing stick and the Windows keys (being on a Mac, having a real 104-key keyboard helps.)) I think.
Even the lightest weight buckling spring boards are in the 3 pound area. My EnduraPro 104 is about 3.5 pounds, I'd say, although it does have an 1/8" thick steel plate in it.
When the whole LAPTOP weighs under 3 pounds, there's not room for a 2 pound (allowing for the fact that there would be less keys) keyboard. So, they use scissor+rubber dome switches instead.
That said, there is the Model M6... it's not buckling spring, but IBM deemed it worthy of a Model M designation. It, along with the Model M6-1, was used in the first ThinkPads.
I think Lenovo knows better than to cash in on the ThinkPad name.
Besides, they have the IdeaPad line if they want to do that, without hurting the ThinkPad line.
Anyway, I'll note that it wasn't Lenovo that made most of the recent ThinkPads before the buyout. It was Great Wall, one of Lenovo's main competitors, which created an interesting situation during the buyout.
(Winstron was another company that IBM used, for the X and R series. My "Lenovo"-built R51e was built by Winstron, in fact.)
E-ink is going to be your best bet for low power consumption... cost is going to be the issue there, though.
The Kindle has a 4-greyscale, 800x600 6" display... not anywhere near your size target... but it could display 80x25 (80x25 in the PC character set is 720x350, using the MDA specification. 640x480 displays can readily display it, though.)
While that is very cool, the TRS-80 Model 100/102/200 are almost a completely different line from the Model III. Different processors (although, the Z80 and the 8085 aren't that different, and are somewhat binary compatible,) even. One won't run software written for the other.
Modern semiconductors? Check. Useful storage capacity? 16 MiB is useful for this class of device... Check. A little more CPU power? It's got a Motorola Dragonball, although I'm not sure of the clock speed... still, even if it's the slowest 16 MHz model, which I'm almost certain it isn't, that's better than a 2.4 MHz 8085. Check. A better display? 240x64 monochrome in the Model 100, 560x160 16 greyscale in the Dana. Check. Instant boot? Check. AA batteries? Check. And, it comes with a LiIon pack, rated for up to 25 hours, as well. Smooth. Palm OS? Check. (4.1.2, though.)
Oh, and it's got one other feature that I've seen mentioned as desired in a Model 100 successor... optional WiFi. (Then again, WiFi is much less useful on Palm OS 4.x than it is on 5.x...)
The only downside is, I've not heard great things about AlphaSmart's keyboards. Which is kinda sad, seeing as their original devices were meant to be... portable keyboards.
I'll just note that the past tense isn't correct - I'm typing this post on a Model M manufactured 2008-03-06, and with native USB.;)
(Granted, it's an EnduraPro 104, and the construction isn't nearly as heavy duty as an IBM Model M, but it does say Model M on the bottom, and has buckling springs.:))
Quick question, have you tried ThinkPad keyboards, especially the 600 series, T20-24, X20-23, T40-43, R50-52, X60-61,or T60-61?
Those are by far the best laptop keyboards I've ever typed on, and I greatly prefer them to most rubber dome keyboards. (However, I prefer a good buckling spring keyboard.)
I distinctly recall my parents getting a Cyrix MediaGX-based system from Micro Center for $499 in November of 1997.;)
And that was the regular price.
Not saying that it was any good, mind you, but it was $499. And I think the lowest-end model was $399.
(166MHz CPU that's slower than a 60MHz Pentium? Check. 16 MB RAM... but 2 MB was stolen by the integrated graphics? Check. Proprietary 3" Western Digital hard drive (not 3.5", not 2.5"?) Check.)
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From what I've heard, they can.
On one forum, I suggested that someone ask about it, and they were told that it would cost $40 more, and there would be no warranty on the keyboard, but they'd do it.
Harris also had a 25 MHz model, as mentioned in that wiki article. 16 was the fastest that Intel made, however, but they didn't stop the second source manufacturers from going faster.
I do recall something saying that the 286 project was actually started AFTER the 386, because the 386 wasn't ready for the market in time. The end result of that was that the 286 was a more modern (but 16-bit) design than the 32-bit 386, and was quicker at a given clock speed - I've heard of cases where the 286-25 was actually faster than an AMD 386DX-40.
Ah, but if you don't mind key remapping and USB adapters, they WILL work gracefully with the Mac.
When I was using my 1391401 on my iBook (a keyboard that's HEAVIER than the laptop it's hooked to...) I had the Alt key mapped to Command, the Ctrl key mapped to Option/Alt, and the Caps Lock key mapped to Ctrl.
With my EnduraPro 104, I just switched around the Command and Option mappings, so that they're in the same place as they are on a Mac keyboard. (And, mine's native USB, so no need to run an adapter.)
(That said, a bunch of the PC keys have different functions on a Mac, or don't work at all.)
I do believe you're about to be disappointed...
The very, very first Model Ms known were made in 1985. The copyright might say 1984, but they weren't available until 1985.
If the IBM logo is anything other than a metal square with a black IBM logo on it, then it can't have possibly been a first-generation Model M.
If the logo is blue lettering, then it was most likely made in 1993 or later. (I've heard of a few blue ones in 1991.)
If the cable isn't detachable, and/or it has drainage holes, then it was definitely made in 1993 or later. (I have one of the somewhat rare keyboards with drainage holes AND the detachable cable, made by IBM. A keyboard I have that was made two months later was made by Lexmark, and therefore doesn't have the detachable cable.)
The FSR sticks are very, very weird.
I'm typing on an EnduraPro 104 right now, and... there's a bit of play in the stick before it starts sensing your movement. Very disconcerting for someone used to a genuine (or even an Alps clone) TrackPoint.
But, I'll just say... be very wary of the refurbished M13s on eBay (and elsewhere.) Quality control on those is non-existent. You're better off trying to find one with a fried controller or something. Or, if you don't have a problem with shelling out $250 for a keyboard, then I do believe the FRU number for the black M13 is still available in IBM's replacement parts system.
Hey, at least you don't have the Model M13 that I have. (Predecessor to the On The Stick 101 and EnduraPro 104.)
Let's see... tons of sticking keys, the right mouse button doesn't work... oh, and yeah, the buttons are wired backwards! (Left-clicking results in a right-click. REAL USEFUL HERE, LEXMARK!)
(My EnduraPro 104... only problem is that the right mouse button feels weird - for some reason, the buttons underneath came out of alignment. So, tomorrow, I'll call Unicomp, and ask them about it.)
Well, actually, it wouldn't be too hard to take a Model M2, a hacksaw, and a controller ROM from a Model M SpaceSaver (so that it would have NumLock by pressing Shift+Scroll Lock,) and see what would happen...
IIRC, the connector for the key decoding matrix on an early Model M is on the left side, so hacking off the right side of the board wouldn't do any damage.
Then, put this monstrosity in an IBM PC Convertible (I had one, but I don't remember how the keyboard felt.) Work from there. If nothing else, I bet one could take an old ThinkPad 700 shell, remove all the guts, transplant newer ThinkPad guts into it, and hook the frankenboard up. (You'd have to sink the keyboard deep into the thing for it to fit, hence the old 3" thick ThinkPad shell with parts from something like an X41.)
Well, if you just want the writing features, there's a few "portable keyboards"/portable word processors out there... I think the best known is the AlphaSmart. There's also the CalcuScribe, the Laser PC6, and some other options.
Most of them are meant for special education use, so they're ruggedized. They have monochrome screens (good for outdoor use,) full-size (although usually laptop-derived) keyboards, and stupid long battery life - so long that they make an M100 look like an absolute pig. I think the worst in the class is somewhere around 100 hours.
You know, I can write software for my Palm OS device without using another computer, or even having hotsynced it ever.
Pippy is Python for Palm OS, and I think there's some BASIC implementations or something out there...
Well, if I recall correctly, the Model M2, the cheaper version of the Model M for the PS/1, didn't have the steel plate, and still came in near 3 pounds.
To be fair, you are getting a ruggedized machine. AlphaSmart claims it can take a four foot drop without any damage...
Also, I think another reason it's overpriced has to do with their main market - education. They do market it towards the M100's old market to an extent, but in the education market, they're really the only game in town, providing what they provide (extreme battery life + ruggedized machines for students.) I don't think the low volume helps, either - were it a high volume product, it could probably sell for $250, with OS 5, and color. (Monochrome does have its advantages for outdoor visibility, though.)
And, I've heard people say that the keyboard's fine... I'd like to get my hands on one, but I don't see it happening. I suspect it'll feel like the average laptop's keyboard. Meh.
I will note, though, that I've never typed on a M100.
I have... oh, hell, I lost count.
The EnduraPro, a Model M13 (that was refurbished... badly... so I have to go in and refurbish it again myself...,) and three Model Ms (one of which is a 1993 IBM-built one, and is my favorite keyboard to type on, but I use the EnduraPro more due to the pointing stick and the Windows keys (being on a Mac, having a real 104-key keyboard helps.)) I think.
The weight is also a big deal.
Even the lightest weight buckling spring boards are in the 3 pound area. My EnduraPro 104 is about 3.5 pounds, I'd say, although it does have an 1/8" thick steel plate in it.
When the whole LAPTOP weighs under 3 pounds, there's not room for a 2 pound (allowing for the fact that there would be less keys) keyboard. So, they use scissor+rubber dome switches instead.
That said, there is the Model M6... it's not buckling spring, but IBM deemed it worthy of a Model M designation. It, along with the Model M6-1, was used in the first ThinkPads.
I think Lenovo knows better than to cash in on the ThinkPad name.
Besides, they have the IdeaPad line if they want to do that, without hurting the ThinkPad line.
Anyway, I'll note that it wasn't Lenovo that made most of the recent ThinkPads before the buyout. It was Great Wall, one of Lenovo's main competitors, which created an interesting situation during the buyout.
(Winstron was another company that IBM used, for the X and R series. My "Lenovo"-built R51e was built by Winstron, in fact.)
The Model 100 does have an expansion bus, so it's definitely possible...
It also has an expansion ROM port, maybe an M-Systems Disk-On-Chip would work in there?
E-ink is going to be your best bet for low power consumption... cost is going to be the issue there, though.
The Kindle has a 4-greyscale, 800x600 6" display... not anywhere near your size target... but it could display 80x25 (80x25 in the PC character set is 720x350, using the MDA specification. 640x480 displays can readily display it, though.)
While that is very cool, the TRS-80 Model 100/102/200 are almost a completely different line from the Model III. Different processors (although, the Z80 and the 8085 aren't that different, and are somewhat binary compatible,) even. One won't run software written for the other.
The HP 200LX is more common, and is easier to find on the used market...
I know just what you're looking for...
http://www.alphasmart.com/products/dana-w_In.html
Modern semiconductors? Check.
Useful storage capacity? 16 MiB is useful for this class of device... Check.
A little more CPU power? It's got a Motorola Dragonball, although I'm not sure of the clock speed... still, even if it's the slowest 16 MHz model, which I'm almost certain it isn't, that's better than a 2.4 MHz 8085. Check.
A better display? 240x64 monochrome in the Model 100, 560x160 16 greyscale in the Dana. Check.
Instant boot? Check.
AA batteries? Check. And, it comes with a LiIon pack, rated for up to 25 hours, as well. Smooth.
Palm OS? Check. (4.1.2, though.)
Oh, and it's got one other feature that I've seen mentioned as desired in a Model 100 successor... optional WiFi. (Then again, WiFi is much less useful on Palm OS 4.x than it is on 5.x...)
The only downside is, I've not heard great things about AlphaSmart's keyboards. Which is kinda sad, seeing as their original devices were meant to be... portable keyboards.
I'll just note that the past tense isn't correct - I'm typing this post on a Model M manufactured 2008-03-06, and with native USB. ;)
:))
(Granted, it's an EnduraPro 104, and the construction isn't nearly as heavy duty as an IBM Model M, but it does say Model M on the bottom, and has buckling springs.
Quick question, have you tried ThinkPad keyboards, especially the 600 series, T20-24, X20-23, T40-43, R50-52, X60-61,or T60-61?
Those are by far the best laptop keyboards I've ever typed on, and I greatly prefer them to most rubber dome keyboards. (However, I prefer a good buckling spring keyboard.)
That's when you upgrade him to a TRS-80 Model... 200!
Yeah, it was a personal torture device that "ran" Windows 95. ;)
At least it was OSR2.1, and not something like the original retail release.
I distinctly recall my parents getting a Cyrix MediaGX-based system from Micro Center for $499 in November of 1997. ;)
And that was the regular price.
Not saying that it was any good, mind you, but it was $499. And I think the lowest-end model was $399.
(166MHz CPU that's slower than a 60MHz Pentium? Check. 16 MB RAM... but 2 MB was stolen by the integrated graphics? Check. Proprietary 3" Western Digital hard drive (not 3.5", not 2.5"?) Check.)
This is Slashdot.
We're supposed to use car analogies.
So, I'll use gasoline.
(And, actually, seeing as rises in gas prices are directly linked to oil futures...)